Scott Martinez
Denver
303.578.6258
Scott@MartinezandPartners.com
D. Scott Martinez:
D. Scott Martinez is a leading business and government law attorney and businessperson with first-hand knowledge of the interworking of the Colorado and US government. His blended background in business, law, and politics provides an edge to his clients and helps further their respective goals. Scott has a deep understanding of how to control the position of professionals and organizations looking to traverse the business environment and the regulatory process.
Business Law
Scott brings his knowledge of the Colorado business environment and corporate law to every client relationship of the firm. He represents various non-profits, businesses, and industry leaders in their corporate matters and before local governments. He is a go-to problem solver for clients in every industry working under government regulation – from developers and construction to emerging industries and government contractors. His years of experience creating and running entities that significantly impact our community improves his clients' position as they navigate the maze of business regulation.
Government Law
Scott's political contacts and political intelligence set him apart from other lawyers practicing in government relations. He served as Denver's youngest City Attorney and has played an influential role in law and government for his entire career. He has distinguished himself in political and legislative circles at the state and federal levels regarding Democratic initiatives. Scott provides unparalleled insight and access to a high-impact network of personal relationships through his governmental legal services. Known for public advocacy and equity, Scott makes the connection for his clients between fair government policies and fair economic participation for businesses. He guides his clients through the pressured environments of private companies and state and federal governmental entities.
Scott Martinez is known in Colorado and throughout the nation as more than a lawyer; he is an advisor and influencer when it comes to the businesses and politics that affect our community. As a visionary businessperson with a blended background in law and politics, he relies on his unique career experiences to shape the world to reflect Democratic policies. As a leading Latino entrepreneur and lawyer, he provides crucial insight into how political issues such as gerrymandering can affect the economics of communities of color long term. His unequaled network, experience in government, and legal background give his clients an edge when looking for corporate counsel or an intermediary between business and lawmakers.
In addition to Scott's legal work, he remains active in the community as a board member for the Colorado Nonprofit Association, the Civic Ventures board for the Downtown Denver Partnership, a Gubernatorial appointee to the Metropolitan Stadium District, the Co-Founder, Board Member and Mentor for the Government Entrepreneurship Leadership Accelerator, and a Mentor for Law School…Yes We Can.
Key Experience
- Named Denver’s Youngest City Attorney under Mayor Michael Hancock. As City Attorney, Scott provided day-to-day legal, business, and strategic advice to the Mayor, all City Departments and Agencies, City Council Members, the Clerk and Recorder, and Auditor. Under Scott's leadership, the City Attorney's Office focused on operating at the speed of business - reducing the contracting time from an average of 121 days to 37 days. He also established the Taxpayer Protection Unit, the City's first affirmative litigation team, recovering over a million dollars in taxpayer funds and commercial services in its first year. Scott's tenure also oversaw the innovative legal structure for implementing the nation's first recreational marijuana regulatory system. As City Attorney, Scott managed over two hundred attorneys and staff of litigators, transactional attorneys, prosecutors, aviation specialists, and human and family services matters.
- Worked in private practice experience with two prominent law firms, as an attorney with Holland & Hart and as a partner of Snell & Wilmer. At Holland and Hart, Denver's largest law firm, he counseled corporate boards and officers regulated by federal, state, and local governments. After working in the public sector, Scott served as a partner at Snell and Wilmer, leading the office's Government Regulations, Regulatory and Administrative Law practice. There, Scott helped businesses work with government agencies and officials to navigate complex regulatory environments.
- Served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team for the Office of White House Counsel's Staff. Within that role, he was a part of the team that drafted the President's first Executive Orders.
- Included on the legal team for the Clinton-Kaine presidential campaign. This experience built on his election and campaign finance knowledge base.
Experience
Martinez & Partners LLC | Denver, CO
Managing Partner (1/15/2019 – Present)
Counsel to corporate clients and private individuals regarding federal, state and municipal
regulatory matters. Representations frequently include intricate knowledge of conflict of
laws resolution between federal, state and local regulatory structures.
Snell & Wilmer LLP | Denver, CO
Partner (12/1/2016 – 1/14/2019)
Led the office's Government Regulations, Regulatory and Administrative Law practice and helped businesses work with government agencies and officials to navigate complex regulatory environments.
City & County of Denver | Denver, CO
City Attorney (1/2/2014 – 5/31/2016)
Cabinet appointee reporting directly to the Mayor providing day-to-day legal, business, and strategic advice as the City’s Chief Legal Officer. Provided effective counsel to sixteen City departments and agencies, City Council members, Clerk and Recorder and Auditor.
Final legal authority under the City’s Charter for all matters and the public spokesperson for all legal matters including civil litigation in federal courts and municipal prosecutions.
Managed the City’s Law Department of one-hundred and sixteen attorneys and one-hundred and nine staff; managed all outside counsel relationships in the areas of criminal prosecution, civil litigation, intellectual property, finance and real estate.
Negotiated the highest level business and intergovernmental agreements and settlements, including seven agreements with organized labor, winning binding arbitration in unresolved negotiations and ratifying agreements under the allotted time limit in others.
Created the Taxpayer Protection Unit, the City’s first affirmative litigation team, recovering $2.8 million in taxpayer funds and commercial services in its first year.
Streamlined contracting, cutting processing time from an average 121 days to 37 days.
Innovated the legal structure for the implementation of the nation’s first recreational marijuana regulatory mechanism working with the US Attorney’s Office for guidance.
Deputy City Attorney (1/8/2012 – 1/2/2014)
Appointed by the Mayor to serve as Chief Operating Officer and second-in-command over
the Law Department, including oversight over personnel and allocation of resources.
Drafted departmental budgets in both an economic downturn and recovery. Hired, trained, disciplined and tracked performance and engagement of all law department personnel.
Managed multi-million dollar civil litigation in federal court (§ 1983 claims), oversaw the prosecution of crimes for violations of the municipal code, and directed the legal aspects of child and elder protection services.
Holland & Hart LLP | Denver, CO
Associate Attorney (9/11/2006 – 1/8/2012)
Counseled corporations, corporate boards and individual board members regulated by federal, state, local or special district governments. Advised clients under investigation by the committees of the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), State Attorneys General, and various state regulatory agencies. Representations often included a deep understanding of the US Attorney’s Manual (Justice Manual) and its applications.
Advised private sector clients on the creation, implementation and training on corporate compliance plans including vesting, divestiture, ethics and regulatory requirements.
Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team | Washington D.C.
Office of White House Counsel Transition Staff (11/7/2008 – 1/20/2009)
Secunded to the Obama-Biden Transition Team which was responsible for drafting first-day Executive Orders on transparency and ethics. Trained incoming political appointees on new Executive Order requirements.
Colorado Democratic Party | Denver, CO
Interim Executive Director, Deputy Director, Campaign Staff (5/15/2000 – 3/15/2003)
Worked up from entry level staffer, data manager, campaign manager to Interim Executive Director. Oversaw the 2002 redistricting and reapportionment operations.
Awards and Honors
- National Latino Lawyer of the Year – Hispanic National Bar Assoc. (2015)
- Chris Miranda Outstanding Lawyer of the Year – Colorado Hispanic Bar Assoc. (2016)
- Ricardo Salinas Foundation Award – Aspen Institute, Socrates Program (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year – Law Week Colorado (2014)
- Recent Alumni of the Year Award – University of San Diego, School of Law (2014)
- Forty under 40 Award – Denver Business Journal (2014)
- Dean Edward C. King "Pay it Forward" Award – University of Colorado School of Law, Dean's Choice Award (2013)
- Chair's Award for Service – Colorado Democratic Party (2012)
- Top Up and Coming Attorney – Law Week Colorado (2007)
- Rising Star – Colorado Democratic Party (2002)
- Unsung Hero Award – 5280 Magazine (2002)
Community Service and Involvement
- Metropolitan Stadium District Board – Gubernatorial Appointee (2018-Present)
- Colorado Nonprofit Association – Board Member (2018-Present)
- Downtown Denver Partnership, Civic Ventures – Board Member (2017-Present)
- Law School, Yes We Can/ Law School, Si Se Puede – Mentor (2014-Present)
- Government Entrepreneurship Leadership Accelerator (GELA) – Co-Founder, Board Member (2016-2020)
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy Committee – Member (2017-2019)
- White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law at the University of Colorado
- School of Law – Board Member (2010-2019)
- Rocky Mountain City Summit – Steering Committee (2012-2017)
- Municipal Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement Board – Mayoral Appointee (2011-2015)
- Bell Policy Center – Board Member (2007-2014); Board Chair (2010-2014)
- Colorado BlueFlower – Board Member (2007-2013)
- Collection Agency Board – Gubernatorial Appointee (2008-2010)
- Election Reform Commission – Gubernatorial Appointee (2008)
Education
- University of San Diego, School of Law
2006 J.D., Law
- University of Colorado, Boulder
2000 B.A., International Affairs; Minor, Economics
Professional Affiliations
- Colorado Bar Association, Member (2006-Present) – Board of Governors (2009-2013)
- Colorado Hispanic Bar Association (2006-Present) – Public Policy Chair (2009-2013)
- Hispanic National Bar Association (2006-Present)
- American Bar Association, Member (2006-Present)
Admitted to Practice
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court, Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit